Washington, Dec 18 (IANS): Amid rising tensions over the arrest and "barbaric" treatment of an Indian diplomat in New York, the US stuck to its guns saying it acted "appropriately" and demanded restoration of security for its missions in India.

New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS): A new tough-talking India on Tuesday upped the ante against the US and sought an "unconditional apology" over the arrest and humiliating strip-search of its ranking diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York and also took a slew of steps to pare down the privileges of American diplomats here in a retaliatory measure.